Hurlingham Club Ground, Buenos Aires (Mexico won toss): Bermuda (2pts) beat Mexico (0) by six wickets

Bermuda overcame a jittery start to their run chase yesterday to secure a third victory at the ICC T20 World Cup Americas Sub-Regional Qualifier.

After restricting Mexico to 96 for nine in 20 overs, thanks to Kevon Fubler’s outstanding two for ten, Bermuda chased down the target in 12.3 overs.

However, the win was not without early drama as openers Terryn Fray and Tre Manders fell cheaply.

Player of the match Onias Bascome anchored the innings with 37 off 20 balls, forming a vital partnership with Alex Dore before Dion Stovell and Dominic Sabir ensured a comfortable finish with 45 balls to spare.

The result solidified Bermuda’s position at the top of the nine-team table, especially after Surinam stunned Cayman Islands by six wickets earlier yesterday in the shock of the tournament to date.

Bascome, who smashed six fours and a six, emphasised the importance of respecting good balls and punishing bad ones.

“It’s always nice to score runs,” Bascome told The Royal Gazette. “I got the opportunity today and took it with both hands.

“My intentions will always be the same when I approach the wicket. The ball is played by its merit, if it’s in my slot, I tend to just go at it immediately knowing that I've to pick up on my strengths and push myself where I need to be.

“The Mexican bowlers were looking to pitch the ball up and use the swing after getting those two early wickets. I had to adjust, use my feet and everything ended up in my favour.

“I was looking forward to raising my bat [for 50], but unfortunately, it didn't happen. It’s cricket, I did my job, had a strike rate that was unbelievable and that’s what the team needed at that time.”

Mexico’s innings got off to a dreadful start after they chose to bat. Fine fielding led to two early wickets – Rupesh Singh was run out by Manders for a three-ball duck, followed by Kashigoud Patil, run out by Sabir.

Sabir added another highlight with a brilliant running catch to dismiss Shashikant Hirugade off Jermal Proctor’s bowling.

Proctor struck again when Praveen Krishnan was caught by Fubler, who had earlier missed a catch in the deep.

The introduction of left-arm spinners Fubler and Derrick Brangman further tightened Bermuda’s grip.

Fubler struck with his first ball to dismiss Mexico captain Shantanu Kaveri, while Brangman bowled Rohit Poojary. Stovell joined the wicket-taking spree by removing Pradeep Mohanarangam, Mexico’s top scorer with 26.

Mexico’s total was boosted late on by Shoaib Rafiq, who hit three sixes off Stovell in the final over to finish unbeaten on 24 off 11 balls.

Bermuda’s run chase began disastrously with Manders and Fray bowled by Yashvanth Jasti. Dore, brought in for Jonté Smith, was dropped on ten by Praveen off Jasti’s bowling and went on to add 17 runs in a crucial 48-run partnership with Bascome.

Their stand was broken when Dore was run out by a direct hit from Mohanarangam. Bascome’s dismissal, trapped lbw by Hirugade, left Bermuda needing 39 to win.

“Alex Dore definitely played a big role,” Bascome said. “He was looking just to rotate the strike once he realised that I was seeing the ball well and playing my shots.

“That’s what it’s about, switching on depending on which batsman is at the crease and knowing your role. Alex did a great job in that regard.”

Stovell (19) and Sabir (20) ensured that Bermuda suffered no further loss of wickets in cruising to victory with a calm finish.

This afternoon at 2pm, Bermuda face Brazil, who have one win from three matches.

“We’re looking to keep up our momentum and finish the tournament strong,” Bascome added.